Abstract:

The democratization process of the local governments in the Cape Metropole and KwaZulu Natal was a drawn out process. The question that immediately arises is why? Although the focus in this thesis rests on the Cape Metropole as a case study, a preoccupation with issues can in both instances be given as the main reason for slow transformation. One of these issues was the political battle between the Provincial Government (IFP) and National Government (ANC) in KwaZutu Natal and the battle within the Cape Metropole between the NP (Provincial Government) and the ANC. Another reason might be blaming the whole state of affairs on racial separation. In this instance the ANC sees local government as complex systems with an intense dislike to any rigid racial separation, while members of the public, media and other political parties see the NP as a party that still supports the fundamentals of racial separation. Evaluation of the interplay between the political negotiation process and the policy decision making process was done by way of developing proto-theoretical models. In this regard it was concluded that decision making influences political negotiation and negotiation in turn influences policy decision making. This interplay however cannot add to a constructive process if a deadlock is reached because of political positioning. It is suggested that the public policy decision making model be further developed to counteract source subjectivity regarding the use, influence and role of the negotiating strategies, persuasion, bargaining and cohesion in power plays. The writer is of the opinion that the results of policy decisions, not multi-party negotiations, influence peace. Multi-party negotiations are merely a process by which policy decisions are executed.